Severe pediculosis capitus: a case of "crusted lice" with autoeczematization

Cody J Connor; John C Selby; Karolyn A Wanat

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Severe pediculosis capitus: a case of "crusted lice" with autoeczematization

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Severe pediculosis capitus: a case of "crusted lice" with autoeczematization

Cody J Connor, John C Selby and Karolyn A Wanat

Dermatology online journal, Vol.22(3)

03/16/2016

PMID: 27136626

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Abstract

Pediculosis humanus capitus infestations are common and classically present with intense pruritus of the scalp. Although many treatment options are available, lice are becoming more resistant to conventional therapies and severe clinical presentations are bound to become more prevalent. We present a case of treatment-resistant pediculosis capitus resulting in diffuse autoeczematization of the torso and extremities and severe crusting and scaling of the scalp, which we called "crusted lice." This eruption differs from the well-described id reaction known as "pediculid" and represents a more dramatic manifestation of rampant infestation. This paper provides an up-to-date review of treatment options available for pediculosis humanus capitus, including newer medications like the ones that eventually led to resolution of our patient's extreme infestation.

Torso

Eczema - diagnosis

Eczema - drug therapy

Insecticides - therapeutic use

Pediculus

Eczema - complications

Coinfection - drug therapy

Facial Dermatoses - complications

Scalp Dermatoses - diagnosis

Humans

Middle Aged

Coinfection - complications

Lice Infestations - diagnosis

Scalp Dermatoses - complications

Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use

Scalp Dermatoses - drug therapy

Staphylococcal Skin Infections - drug therapy

Female

Staphylococcus aureus

Severity of Illness Index

Lice Infestations - drug therapy

Staphylococcal Skin Infections - complications

Ivermectin - therapeutic use

Doxycycline - therapeutic use

Facial Dermatoses - drug therapy

Lice Infestations - complications

Animals

Facial Dermatoses - diagnosis

Coinfection - diagnosis

Macrolides - therapeutic use

Drug Combinations

Staphylococcal Skin Infections - diagnosis

Details

Title: Subtitle: Severe pediculosis capitus: a case of "crusted lice" with autoeczematization
Creators: Cody J Connor
John C Selby
Karolyn A Wanat - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Karolyn-Wanat@uiowa.edu
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Dermatology online journal, Vol.22(3)
Publisher: United States
PMID: 27136626
ISSN: 1087-2108
eISSN: 1087-2108
Language: English
Date published: 03/16/2016
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Dermatology
Record Identifier: 9984025592302771

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